


u 



389 
96 
py 1 



ADDRESS 



ON 



Native Grapes of the United States. 



READ BEFORE THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, AT NEW ORLEANS, 

JAN. 20, 1885, AND PUBLISHED IN FULL IN THE TRANSACTIONS 

OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1885. 






By T. V Munson M. So, 

And Vice-Pbes't of the.Soc'y, Denison, Tex. 



INDIANAPOLIS : 

CARLON & HOLLENBECK, PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 

1885. 






OFFICERS 



American Hnrticultural SnciEty. 



.^^K'^RtEA^LS^PpK^DExf,: .*'•.. . Cobden, 111. 

:2C. ^itU'iSO^'ffiWr -Vice- PreV.; . . Denison, Texas. 

W. H. RAGAN, Secretary, . . . Greencastle, Iud. 

J. C. EVANS, Treasurer, . . . Harlem, Mo. 



The Transactions of the American Horticultural Society, for 1885, will 
contain, among other valuable papers, the following exhaustive treatise on the 

NATIVE GRAPES OF THE UNITED STATES, 

by that able and thoroughly practical scientist, T. V. Munson, of Texas. 
This report, which will be the transactions of the very interesting meeting 
held in New Orleans, January, 1885, can be had on application to 

The Secretary. 



NATIVE GRAPES OF THE UNITED STATES. 

BY T. V. MUNSON, M. SC. 

[Read before the American Horticultural Society, New Orleans, January 20, 1885.] 

All botanists, who have attempted the classification of the grape genus, 
have complained of its difficulties, and confusions of one form with another. 
Many have concluded that its so-called species are only artificial terms to in- 
dicate certain forms of considerable extent, but that in reality there is no 
clear separatrix. This is certainly true in one sense — the order of develop- 
ment in time — as has been proven true of all organic beings, by such vast 
researches among plants and animals as those of Wallace, Darwin, Hseekel, 
Walsh and others. According to this, if every individual plant and animal 
now existing and that has ever existed, were placed side by side according 
to their affinities and genealogies, the organic kingdom would be one mon- 
strous tree joined in all its parts by the universal cellular protoplasmic link ; 
and this tree would be rooted deep upon another infinite inorganic mass of 
nicely graded and connected crystalline and chemical atoms, each and every 
link in the universe of matter, varying but a minute degree from its neigh- 
bor, yet two taken at a distance from each other show proportionate differ- 
ences. If the intermediate individuals were left out of view, those in com- 
parison would be considered of different varieties, species, genera, orders, 
etc., according to the distances apart the units of comparison were taken. 
If all still lived and the chain of development seen complete, the fact would 
not make an ass and a horse, a dog and a wolf, a Caucasian and an African, a 
Scuppernong and a frost grape any the less different from one another. 

The vicissitudes of time have cut and broken away innumerable branches 
from the great tree of life. They have fallen, through chemical change, back 
into the mineral base, to be again revitalized, not as the same old individuals, 
but as parts of those still living and multiplying. Repeated upheavals and 
subsidence of the earth's crust, through millions of years, as we unmistaka- 
bly learn in geology, have been the most potent species makers, in a techni- 
cal sense ; and thus the connecting links, especially where large gaps occur 
between the living branches, are now out of existence and the separation of 
the living parts as complete and permanent as though they had never been 
joined, so far as again intermingling is concerned. 

But long separation of once joined links, under widely different environ- 



2 Native Grapes of the United States. 

ments, has always been the true cause of specific variation. This is done by 
transplanting to a different soil or climate, or both, and by mixing of blood 
of two well separated branches (species), giving a more sudden start, to 
change, than a mere variety, which, if at the same time the new product be 
put under new environments, as a hybrid grape-seed carried by a bird into 
an entirely different soil and climate from that occupied by the parents, in 
time quite a novel and unaccountable species would develop and only a 
thorough comparative anatomist could trace its origin. 

Some naturalists make the loss of power to intermingle, the separatrix of 
species. Prof. Planchon, a noted French ampelographer, takes this position. 
The lamented Dr. George Engelmann, who did so much for useful botany, 
and in this sphere to simplify the perplexing grape genus, held to this view 
in the main, and declared it as a law, that, "honest nature a' hors hybridi- 
zation ; " as much as to say there is a dishonest nature, or else there are no 
hybrids. 

If this is the proper divider of species, then there is but one species of 
true grapes, and Dr. Englemann's thirteen native species stand condemned 
by his own rule, as hybrids are known among all of them. Even the pecu- 
liarly distinct and uniform Scuppernong, in the hands of Dr. Peter Wylie, 
yielded some remarkable hybrids. 

On the other hand, Prof. Millardet, another eminent writer on the grape, 
finds as many true species as Dr. Engelmann, and hybrids among them often. 
My own experience so abundantly confirms this view, that I am in utter 
confusion without accepting it. Doubtless the whole disagreement arises 
from the definition of species, by which the classification is made. A more 
proper definition of species probably is a type embodying peculiar and uni- 
form general characteristics (however admitting varietal changes), which 
continually occur by natural distribution over a large area, or in a great 
number of individuals, and which have great antiquity, and may be supposed 
to relate purely to a common parent in the remote past. Then those inter- 
mediate individuals, occurring here and there in the vicinity of two species 
in juxtaposition, which nearly always possess only the two sets of specific 
characteristics juxtaposed in the two species, but completely blended in the 
lone individual, such as we find in the mule and mulatto, we are justified in 
terming hybrids. 

One holding the theory that " nature abhors hybridization," is always per- 
plexed at finding such individuals wild, and must invent still another theory, 
that it is "a sport of nature," in other words, an effect without a cause ; or 
else be continually creating new species, as did Rafinesque, in either case 
producing endless confusion. 

In a long course of reproduction, hybrids, like varieties, may become spe- 
cies. This seems true of several of our recognized species of grapes— the 
Palmata in particular, and Monticola. The " Southern iEstivalis " of vine- 
yardists is entirely too young and variable to rank as a species, yet if placed 
in a region apart from others for a long period it would become a species of 
this character. More of this further on. 



Native Grapes of the United States. 3 

The most natural method of classification would be to follow the develop- 
ment in time, if possible. This would lead to the necessity of being a good 
paleontologist and geologist, as well as an expert botanist. In its full amplifi- 
cation it would add another most useful study to the university course, viz. : 
the origin, development, perpetuation, hybridiz it on and decay of species; 
or, to coin a word for brevity's sake, Speciology. 

Looking at the classificition of grapes in this light, Dr. Engelmann's order 
(the ablest and most accurate yet published, but which seems to have been 
made entirely according to botanical analysis of specimens in the laboratory, 
and without considering geographical distribution and development in local- 
ity and time,) appears to me quite unnatural. 

Claiming and possessing no authority, only of fact, as acquired by careful 
search and observation, to vary from so profound a student of nature as was 
Dr. Engelmann, and knowing well how I expose myself to scathing criticism 
and the charge of pedantry in suggesting a different order, I do so because I 
believe it to be the most natural and useful to the viticulturist. Further 
investigation may modify it. The tendency is simplification. 

Rafinesque's forty-one American species of fifty-five years ago, by 
Engelmann were reduced to thirteen, well defined and in the following or- 
der : 1. Labrusca; 2. Candicans; 3. Caribbea; 4. Californica; 5. Monticola; 
6. Arizonica; 7. iEstivalis; 8. Cinerea; 9. Cordifolia; 10. Palmata ; 11. Ri- 
paria; 12. Rupestris; 13. Vinifera (placed here by Engelmann to show his 
notion of its relationship) ; 14. Rotundifolia, or Vulpina. 

My reasons for dissenting from this order and suggesting another, are : 
1st. The natural line of introduction and development (sugges'.ed by the 
distribution conjointly with the structural analysis of the species, and which 
pretty nearly agrees with the more recent geological changes in North 
America) upon this continent is violated in several places. 2d. This leads 
to one of the most vital of all subjects to the- practical horticulturist, viz. : 
adaptability to special localities and soils. 

To amplify my first reason: The geology of North America indicates 
clearly that Canada was first permanently above the great universal ocean. 
Next a backbone shot up along the Apalachian region, gradually growing 
less, and curving in Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee to the westward, pass- 
ing in a low range into the Ozarks of Southern Illinois and Missouri, North- 
ern Arkansas ; thence southwestwardly through the Indian Territory, West- 
ern Texas, and joining in more recent geological time the Rocky Mountain 
uplift; thus forming the great Mississippi basin-rim on the east, south and 
west. Within this rim, occupying the entire basin, there once was an inland 
sea, higher than the outer seas, which, finally cutting out on the east, formed 
the St. Lawrence river, and on the. south made the " Father of Waters," 
passing through the rim not far above Cairo, Illinois. By the rains of time 
this inland sea became fresh water lakes, of which we have yet a few rem- 
nants in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada. 

On the rim of this basin the first lodgement of grapes was made, probably 



4 Native Grapes of the United States. 

far up in Canada, and came in from the Atlantic on the east, up the then 
broad, long gulf now contracted into the St. Lawrence, and having no moun- 
tains to climb, spread from there westward and southward, stocking the entire 
basin with the Riparia blood, which since has run into various tribes ; Riparia, 
the main stem, all northward from the Ozarks; in these, the Rupestris, and 
westward Nuevo Mexicana and Arizonica. Later, the southern rim caught 
new importations from the warmer southern seas, in the direction of the 
Caribbees, landing the Cordifolia, iEstivalis and Cinerea, from Virginia to 
Texas, which, in time, spread into New York, Ohio, Illinois and Northern 
Missouri, and southward, more recently, to the Gulf. 

As time went on, and the constantly diminishing Gulf continued to add 
the hundreds of miles of illimitable natural wealth — now the Southern 
States— to the south side of the Ozark rim, she forgot not to waft still other 
grapes (which had already specifically developed), to these shores from the 
center of origin, the Caribbee Islands, or, much more probably, from a con- 
tinent eastward of the Caribbees in the Atlantic Ocean, dropping the Mus- 
cadine or Scuppernong of the South, all along the coast from Mexico to 
Maryland, the Labrusca on the eastern coast from Maine to Georgia, the 
Mustang (Candicans) on the coast of Mexico and Texas, then far inland, and 
Caribbea, quite recently in Florida. 

Geology, palaeontology, archaeology, the natural distribution of plants and 
animals, and the results of recent deep-sea dredgings, all clearly point to such 
a continent in the misty past, and this reminds us of the legendary "Atlan- 
tis " of Plato, as still existing there some twelve thousand years ago, and 
which in one awful day and night of earthquake convulsion, sank deep be- 
neath old Ocean. (See Donnelly's "Atlantis," Harper Bros., 1882.) Be that 
as it may, the species of grapes in the United States came in succession, first 
in the North, showing their time of residence by the extent of their spread, 
while the later came in the South and around the coast, having less distribu- 
tion. 

Now you can comprehend why I propose a different order among the spe- 
cies from that of Dr. Engelmann, and can easily see the importance of my 
second reason, adaptability ; hence I offer the following: 

Classification of the Native Grapes of the United States, According to their Natural 
Affinities and Distribution (including Vinifera for comparison). 

1. Riparian Group. 

Earliest to leave out, bloom and ripen. Have very thin diaphragms in the 
joints. Grow with ease from cuttings. Roots wiry, penetrating and per- 
fectly resistant. Plant endures all manner of hardships well. Cluster 
and berry small to medium. Fruit jn quality good to excellent, possess- 
ing rare wine properties. 

(a) Riparia (Riverside Grape). 
Extends from Labrador to Texas, from Virginia to Montana. Leaves 
with coarse, long, sharp teeth, smooth or slightly pubescent; wood gray, 



Native Grapes of the United States. 5 

smooth ; often pubescent on Mississippi River ; tendrils rather weak ; 
diaphragm thinnest of any species, being not much thicker than writing 
paper; accidentally hybridized with Labrusca in Kentucky gave the 
Taylor. No vines of pure blood are yet cultivated for profit. 

(b) Rupestris (Sand-beach, or Sugar Grape). 

From East Tennessee westward, in the hilly regions, to Southwest 
Texas, fast disappearing by the browsing of stock. Leaves reniform, 
smooth, coarsely toothed ; wood dark gray, smooth, slender, much 
branched and spreading gooseberry-bush fashion naturally, but if 
trained makes a good vine, but requires much pruning; tendrils 
very unall and weak, soon disappearing after first year. Mr. H. Jae- 
ger is the only one who has introduced any varieties into cultiva- 
tion. His Nos. 59, 60, 62, 61, etc., found wild, make a fine claret, and 
offer a tine start to hybridize upon, which he has successfully done 
already with promising results. Huntingdon is an accidental hybrid, 
containing a large portion of Rupestris blood and some Riparia. 
The earliest of all species to ripen ; fruit usually larger than Riparia 
but cluster smaller; fruit perfectly resistant to rot, and may give a 
valuable strain of varieties, free from this more threatening trouble 
than philloxera, to the Vinifera and most Labrusca and many ^Esti- 
valis. 

(c) Nuevo Mexicana (Prof. Lemmon) (Woolly Riparia) 
Northwestern Texas ("The Panhandle") and New Mexico, in sandy 
ravines and canyons. Leaves cordate or nearly round, with coarse, 
sharp, or blunt teeth, more or less woolly, especially when young, 
leathery and enduring; wood light gray, and quite woolly when 
young; erect, shrub like, with wiry, deeply penetrating roots in the 
fashion of a tree with taproot; grows naturally in thickets, like bushes 
without support, having small tendrils, but when brought into lower 
timber lands makes strong climbing vines; fruit and seed larger than 
the Northern Riparia; quality most excellent, very sugary ; offers most 
excellent stock for the experimenter. The writer has varieties with 
fruit one-third of an inch in diameter. This form gradually runs into 
the next, which has a great similarity in habit of growth, with larger 
fruit-clusters. It is termed 

(d) Arizonira (Arizona Grape). 

Leaves round cordate, coarsely and regularly acute toothed, smooth or 
pubescent, seeds much like the woolly form, wood gray, or reddish 
gray, smooth, or pubescent when young. Fruit excellent. 

2. CORDIFOLIAN GROUP. 

Late to leave out, bloom and ripen ; wood and leaves smooth, diaphragm 
thick; fruit in long, many-berried clusters, very small, mostly seed and 
skin ; roots wiry and resistant; found mostly in bottoms. 



6 \-ir, Grapes of Uu United SU 

(a) CordijUi - ur. or Pungent Whiter Grape). 
Extend? from New York west to Nebraska and Kansas, and covers the 
regions southward from these States to the Gulf, chiefly in rich bot- 
toms and along streams. Leaves heart-shaped, with coarse, blunt or 
sharp teeth, smooth on both ?ides. leathery, veins below of a yellowish 
green ; young wood smooth, dark gray or mottled dark and light gray, 
tendrils long and very strong, climbs high and grows to great - 
sometimes a foot or more in diameter: diaphragm very thick: cut- 
tings grow with great difficulty: fruit small, shining, seedy, very sour 
and pungent till ripened with frost, then sugary. A must remarka- 
ble hybrid of this with Labrusca was found wild in Virginia by a Mr. 

:k. some thirty years ago, having fruit and cluster about the size of 
Ives's Seedling, of a pure rich vinous quality, pulpless, with a jelly-like, 
melting meat. Vine very productive, vigorou-. It was moved into 
the man's yard, and has borne well for twenty-eight years, and is yet in 
fine health and growth. Has never been disseminated. Was acci- 
dentally brought to my notice while searching for specimens of native 
grapes. Have carefully examined the leaf, vine, and ripe fruit, which 
show it to be such a hybrid. Have also found some quite good varie- 
ties of ti. - - - hybridized with the large JEstivalis in Texas. These 
hybrid? show the ameliorating effect of hybridization. Scarcely could 
any two species of less promise for intermingling than Cordifolia and 
Labrusca, be named, yet Ronk'? Blue of Virginia is certainly tine, 
with neither pungency nor foxiness. 

(b) Palnvata, or Rubra. 

Along the banks of the Mississippi river, above St. Louis, Mo. Seem- 
ingly a multiplied hybrid of Cordifolia with Riparia, with possibly a 
trace of Cis?us blood, indicated in the fruit, seed and leaf. Leaves 
sharp-toothed with long taper-points, not always palmate, young wood 
always red, hence Rubra, a better name than Palmata; grows fairly 
well from cuttings: diaphragm medium: leaves and wood smooth, 
branches slender. Rarest and most local of all our species. 

3. Cinereax Group. 

Leaves out, blooms and ripens after Cordifolia, young wood angled and 
covered with an ash-colored cobwebby pubescence: cuttings root with 
much difficulty. 

(a) Oinerea (Ashy or Sweet Winter Grape). 
Covers nearly same region, and found in similar localities with Cordi- 
folia, but more inclined to warm wooded bottoms, and does not ex- 
tend so far north, west of the Alleghanies, but is reported to me by Mr. 
A. J. Caywood, in S. E. Xew York, above where Cordifolia has been 
reported; more sensitive to severe changes than Cordifolia, when 
taken into open culture. Having the same habits, distribution, size 
and shape of cluster and fruit, and blooming and ripening late (later 



Native Grapes of the United States. 7 

than Cordi folia), and often hybridized with it. I have placed Cinerea 
next Cordifolia, though otherwise it is a very distinct species. It ex- 
tends from Western Texas to the Atlantic, from Illinois and New 
York to the Gulf, even to Southern Florida, and in its pure form is quite 
constant; leaves, from Manatee county, Fla., S. E. Arkansas, and Red 
River, Texas, showing great similarity in having a long, taper point, 
small, blunt teeth, under surface densely pubescent, of an ashy brown 
color, and upper surface with scattering, cobwebby hairs drawn along 
the surface. Young wood distinctly angled (more in western, less in 
eastern samples), and, like the leaves, has the ashy pubescence; young 
wood under the pubescence brownish gray; tendrils long and strong, 
clusters usually exceed Cordifolia in being longer and much more 
branched ; fruit very sprightly, pure, rich, must on yEchsle's scale, from 
100° to 120°, vinous, no trace of pungency or disagreeable property; 
diaphragm thick to very thick; roots wiry, penetrating and resistant; 
endures great heat and drought, but sensitive to cold. 

(b) Monbicala (Mountain Grape). 

Hills <>f Central Western Texas apparently an old, much multiplied hy- 
brid of Cinerea with some round, smooth-leaved Riparia variety; leaves 
round, smooth, or with scattering, short pubescence; under surface of 
a shining appearance, small, leathery, well suited to enduring heat 
and drought, leaves out, blooms and ripens very late, about with Cin- 
erea, and the cluster much resembles it, though smaller, and the ber- 
ries larger. Varieties have been reported with white fruit and of fair 
size and excellent quality. Young wood angled and pubescent, but 
not so much so as Cinerea. Tendrils medium. 

, iEsTiVALiAN Group (Summer Grapes). 

Leaves out, blooms and ripens before Cordifolia, here in North Texas, but 
in S. W. Missouri Mr. Jaeger reports it later in blooming, and after La- 
brusca. With further investigation I find that the Cordifolia species blooms 
before iEstivalis here in Texas, as well as elsewhere, from three to five 
days, also, that Warren, Herbemont, LeNoir and others of that strain, show 
faint traces of Vinifera, though chiefly ^Estivalis and Cinera. Diaphragms 
thick, young wood dark, reddish brown, often with weak prickles, and 
prunose bloom, especially near the joints on vigorous growth, which are 
easily rubbed away; roots hard, penetrating, resistant; cuttings root 
poorly ; tendrils medium to very strong. 

(a) Northern Form. 
New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois to Missouri river, southward to 
Maryland and Tennessee. Leaves thin, with a thin, light colored 
pubescence along veins on under side, seldom lobed more than La- 
brusca, fruit usually small and astringent, especially east, but larger 
and finer going westward. A fine variety found by A. J. Caywood, in 
New York, hybridized with Catawba (Labrusca) by him, gave that re- 



Native Grapes of the United States. 

markable new grape, Ulster Prolific, much larger and finer than Dela- 
ware. This form insensibly runs into the 

(b) South-eastern, or Norton's Va. Forms. 

Found southward from the Northern form, and east of the Missis- 
sippi river. Leaves more leathery, with dense brown pubescence 
along the veins, and occasionally spreading therefrom upon the under 
surface of the leaf, especially in Florida samples, where also the young 
twigs are covered with this rufous pubescence; fruit usually quite 
small, not much larger than Cordifolia, and very astringent, in me- 
dium to long and slender clusters, but occasionally quite fine in size 
and quality. This variableness, doubtless, has come by the interming- 
ling, from time to time, with other species, especially with Labrusca, 
and occasionally with Cordifolia and Cinerea. When with the latter, 
as in Warren, Herbemont, LeNoir, Louisiana, etc., the result is mar- 
velous. 

(c) Southwestern Form, Post Oak, or Lineeeumii, in Texas: Mstimlis Jae- 
ge?, in Missouri. 

From Missouri river through Western Missouri. Arkansas, Indian Ter- 
ritory, Northern and Eastern Texas, and Northeastern Louisiana. 
Leaves largest of any species, often beautifully, three, five and rarely 
seven-lobed, having a peculiarly bluish appearance beneath, with veins 
bearing a light brown pubescence. The fine prickles and prunose 
bloom on young wood quite characteristic, more so than the forms (a) 
and (b). Fruit small to very large, in color black and shining, but 
generally with heavy bloom, through shades of purple and red to 
nearly white; quality from austere, acid and disagreeably astringent 
pulpy and musky, up to pure, delicate, vinous, sweet, with sometimes 
delightful nutty and vanilla-like flavors, offering a fascinating field for 
the experimenter. Mr. Hermann Jaeger has done good service in his 
region by finding such treasures as Racine, Neosho, 4, 13, 17, 32, 42, 
43, 52, 55, and numerous others, and by producing hybrids already 
with Rupestris, in 70 and 72, and Cinerea in his 50 and 56. Here in 
Texas "Lucky" (probably the earliest iEstivalis known), "Purple," 
"One Seed," " Late Prize," and a number of others have blessed my 
own searchings in the woods. 

Often this form shows traces of Candicans and Labrusca in the fruit 
and seeds, and some other points. In Texas, where the Candicans is 
so abundant, it is easy to see how this blood got into .Estvalis; in 
Southwestern Missouri it is not so easy to account lor, and the La- 
brusca blood, which seems still more frequently met with, is inexpli- 
cable, unless it was brought among them from the East by pre-his- 
toric man, or already intermingled, when drifted upon these shores 
by the ocean currents, from the original home of the grape genus, 
where these forms or their progenitors grew near each other. It is 



Native Grapes of the United States. 9 

only conjecture now, but botanical analysis, nevertheless, reveals these 
characteristics in many of our western yEstivalis. 

. Vulpina Group (Foxy-leaved Grapes) 

Dense pubescence or wool on under side of leaf, in the Labrusca and Car- 
ibbea, often of a foxy color, and this is probably why, originally, Linnaeus 
applied Vulpina to the species, and by some mistake it was later unac- 
countably and improperly applied to Rotundifolia or the Scuppernong. 
To call the musky flavor of Labrusca " foxy " is a misnomer, as no fox smells 
or tastes like that; but the under side of many Labrusca and Caribbea 
leaves have a true foxy appearance, while no other species has. Fruit 
usually large, with tough, thick, pungent skin, especially so in Candicans, 
pulpy, and in Labrusca having a most characteristic musky smell and 
taste. Leaves out, blooms and ripens after Riparia and before iEstivalis. 
No one of this group extends naturally into the inland basin. 

(a) Labrusca (Fox Grape). 

Atlantic slope, from Maine to Georgia. Concord, of Massachusetts, 
Catawba, Isabella, etc., of Carolina, are fair types. Loves warm, 
wooded, well drained, sandy lands, much of the habit of the iEstivalis ; 
roots spreading, of medium firmness, only fairly resistant; wood firm, 
smooth or woolly pubescent when young, of a brownish red when ma- 
ture; diaphragm medium to thick; cuttings grow readily; leaves 
large, entire or three-lobed, woolly pubescent beneath, often of a foxy- 
red color, leathery; tendrils medium to strong, continuous in well 
grown wood, though in Catawba and some others often intermittent 
like other species, indicating intermixture; fruit large to very large, 
in medium to large clusters; seeds large, notched at top, with sunken 
raphe, and chalaza. The chief species upon which experimenters in 
the United States have worked, producing innumerable varieties and 
hybrids, the latter almost entirely with Vinifera, and generally par- 
taking with them in their tendencies to rot, mildew, and sensitiveness 
to extremes and philloxera. 

(b) Caribbea (Catoosa, by some, in Florida). 

Middle and South Florida, and almost identical with same named spe- 
cies in Cuba, Hayti, Porto Rico and Jamaica. In Florida quite variable, 
from much like Labrusca to close resemblance to Candicans; roots 
wiry; wood more or less woolly, brownish red; diaphragm medium; 
cuttings root poorly; leaves intermediate in shape between Labrusca 
and Candicans, deltoid, smaller than either; pubescent, similar to La- 
brusca, but rather more woolly; tendrils medium; fruit small to me- 
dium, generally austere, pulpy. The species often occurs mixed with 
iEstivalis, which is abundant in same region. Though evidently of 
later introduction than Labrusca or Candicans, I place it here, as its 
•botanical analysis clearly requires. 



10 Native Grapes of the United States. 

(c) Candieans, or Mmtangensis (Mustang). 

Southeastern Indian Territory, in a belt from one hundred to two 
hundred miles wide, extending southwestwardly into Mexico. Found 
chiefly in strong, well drained limestone bottom and bluff lands, climb- 
ing by medium tendrils profusely to the tops of tallest trees. Have 
found vines with as many as four continuous tendrils. Roots deep and 
wiry; wood rather soft, but hard to root from cuttings; diaphragm 
medium ; bark on old wood very finely divided and checked by thread- 
like fibers, persistent, becoming very thick; young wood heavily 
coated with a cobwebby white wool, beneath which the cuticle is of a 
light gray; leaves usually deltoid on old vines, being nearly truncate 
at base, and obtuse pointed with few small mucronate teeth, convex 
on upper surface, while all other species are concave, or at most flat, 
as in Caribbea, densely woolly below, like the young wood, and thin, 
cobwebby hair on upper surface when young, becoming smooth and 
leathery with age. On young vines leaves often deeply, almost pal- 
mately-lnbed, as are the iEstivalis, and this fact points to a former near 
kinship of the two species. Fruit large to very large, in small clusters ; 
very prolific; blooms but a few days later than Riparia, and numer- 
ous hybrids therewith occur, as also in Western Texas with Rupestris, 
" Vitis Champini " being one such. Seeds intermediate in markings 
between Woolly Riparia and iEstivalis, and also bear some resem- 
blance to those of Rotundifolia, in sometimes having small wrinkles 
radiating from around the chalaza. The fruit, cluster and habit of 
vine also bear some resemblance to Rotundifolia, but otherwise it is 
exceedingly different; skin thick and possessed of fiery pungency, but 
the pulpy inside sweet and juicy, with generally a pleasant taste, but 
none of the Labrusca flavor whatever; makes a durable, rich wine of 
excellent taste. 

6. Meaty-fruited, Soft-rooted Group. 

Chiefly found around the Mediterranean Sea and eastward in Asia, run- 
ning through Persia, India, Burmah, Siam, China and to Japan, originally 
in several species. The only native in the United States of this type seems 
to have come from across the Pacific and spread up and down in Cali- 
fornia. 

(a) Californica. 

In habits, roots, wood, leaves, tendrils, fruit, seeds, cluster, time of 
blooming, ripening (which is about with iEstivalis), and the readiness 
with which it intermingles with Vinifera growing near it, it is certainly 
more nearly related to Vinifera than any other American species. 
Though more resistant than Vinifera, yet it is less than any other na- 
tive. In leaf it reminds one of the Grenache and Burgundy grapes. 

(b) Vinifera (Old World Grapes). 

Seems an artificial combination of several original species from Europe 



Native Grapes of the United States. 11 

and Asia and Africa, by long hybridization and cultivation. Placed 
here only for comparison and to indicate its relationship. This ap- 
pears to occupy about the same position in distribution in the Old 
World as do the Riparian tribes in the New, and seem to have drifted 
eastward from the center of origin, us did the Riparia westward and 
northward. 

7. Rotundifolia ( Vulpina, improperly Scuppernong or Muscadine). 

From Grayson county, Texas, eastward in bottom wooded lands to South- 
ern Maryland, and southward in all the Southern States to the Gulf; roots 
very hard and penetrating; wood hard, slender; grows with greatest diffi- 
culty from cuttings; warty, with most obscure grooves in young bark of 
any species; no proper pith, and, consequently, no diaphragm; leaves 
round or heart-shaped, with coarse, regular, acute teeth, smooth and shin- 
ing on both sides, firm and tough; tendrils never forked, as is the case in 
all others ; medium ; fruit very large with a rough, tough skin, always of an 
agreeable taste, making good wine; seeds very large, somewhat resembling 
small coffee grains, small wrinkles radiating from the chalaza toward the 
margins, but not around them ; clusters very small, having from three to 
eight berries, which drop easdy as soon as ripe ; seems to have no diseases 
and never fails to make a crop in its native home; leaves out and blooms 
the latest of all, but ripens from August to October. By distribution it 
would come before Californica and Caribbea in the United States, but by 
affinity and development it is most distinct from all other species and has 
never been found hybridized in the wild state with any other. 

With this outline and classification before us we can the more readily and 
intelligently enter into some viticultural observations, which I trust may lead 
to more extensive «nd accurate experiments in the endeavors to develop the 
valuable qualities so numerous and superior in several of our native grapes. 

To further illustrate natural distribution, whose laws we must observe to be 
successful, I shall only cite the single State of Texas, which stands foremost 
of all in the number and value of species, illustrating most admirably the 
rules of adaptation. In her northwestern " Panhandle " are Riparia, proper, 
though not abundant, and Woolly Riparia (Nuevo Mexicana); in her central 
belt of intermingled prairie and timber, hills and plains, silicious and cal- 
careous soils, of the cretacious formations, are scatteringly, Smooth Riparia, 
Woolly Riparia, Rupestris, Monticola, Cinerea, Candicans, Cordifolia and 
iEstivalis; extending on to the moist, sandy, timbered regions, along streams 
and timber belts, in her black prairie region, are Candicans abundantly in 
wooded lime soils, Cordifolia and Cinerea in bottoms, ^Estivalis in sandy 
post-oak lands; in the eastern sandy, densely timbered regions, continue 
scatteringly Cordifolia abundantly, iEstivalis, Cinerea and often Rotundifo- 
lia, the latter becoming very aboundant lower down, while Cordifolia and 
iEstivalis are seldom found, and Cinerea is still common to the everglades 
bordering the Gulf. 



12 Native Grapes of the United States: 

This teaches the northern vineyardist that he need not try the Scupper- 
noDg, the Mustang, the Caribbea, nor the Cinerea and iEstivalis from the 
far South, especially of the low, warm wooded regions. Even Labrusca is 
not the most proper species for the inland hardships, though great blessings 
have followed the efforts of Bull, Rogers, Moore, Miller, Campbell and many 
others. From the exposed fields of the large-fruited iEstivalis and "steel- 
clad " Rupestris, and Riparia of the West and Southwest, where parching 
drought, balmy zephyrs, play summer one day, and rattling hail and sleet, 
and bare-faced, whistling " Northers " play winter the next, can the experi- 
menter draw with immeasurable prospects of great success in this region. 
On the other hand, the South can feel encouraged most royally in her large, 
luscious Scuppernongs, iEstivalis, and the wonderfully prolific, long-clus- 
tered, tightly clinging exquisite Cinerea See what has resulted from acci- 
dental wild mixing of Cinerea and iEstivalis, in Georgia and elsewhere! 
Warren, Herbemont, LeNoir, Pauline, Louisiana, Harwood, and still brighter 
gems yet to hear from, have come to bless millions of homes with a spright- 
lier fruit than was ever known among the Vinifera developments of thou- 
sands of years. 

The discovery of the truth that the Warren, Herbemont, etc., are the re- 
sult of such a mixture, is of inconceivable value to the American vine-grower. 

I humbly claim the honor of the solution and demonstration of this knotty 
question of the scientific viticulturist before you here to-day. I am happy 
to have the privilege, by the kind invitation of your President, to declare 
this discovery before the largest horticultural society in the world — The 
American Horticultural — under the span of the greatest horticultural hall, 
and within the grounds of the greatest exposition the world ever saw, and 
to demonstrate it, in part, by growing plants in pots, mounted leaves, seeds 
and wood, before you here. After years of diligent search, enquiry, collect- 
ing samples, and the growing of thousands of seedlings of Herbemont, aided 
by comparative anatomy, and having samples of other such hybrids, known 
a- >uch, produced by Hermann Jaeger, and a number found wild by me, I 
feel satisfied I have demonstrated what Prof. Millardet has recently surmised 
by botanical analysis. 

In connection with these investigations many other similar but less diffi- 
cult problems have been solved. The Delaware proves to be a hybrid of 
Labrusca and iEstivalis, having no Vinifera blood, as generally supposed. 
Cynthiana proves to be only a synonym for Norton's Virginia, and not a na- 
tive variety from Arkansas. Warren proves to be a distinct variety from 
Herbemont and not a synonym. The original vine stands in Warren county, 
Georgia, hale and healthy, over thirty-three inches in circumference at base. 
There are numerous seedlings of Warren in various parts of the South, 
varying slightly from it. Of these Herbemont appears to be one. 

Now I feel we need no longer invite rot, mildew and philloxera, by hy- 
bridizing with Vinifera, seeking fine quality when we have such examples 
of pure American blood with freedom from disease, as are Delaware, Ulster 



Notice Grapes of the United States. 13 

Prolific, Warren and its numerous progeny, Elvira, and its bright young 
family, Jaeger's No. 70, and such pure bloods as Norton, Perkins, Lady, Am- 
ber Scuppernong, Jaeger's many iEstivalis and Rupestris and some remark- 
able Texan varieties. We have everything to encourage us, except we need 
more Caywoods, Marvins, Campbells, Pommels, Onderdonks and Jaegers. 

There are no less than ten species of grapes in the United States possess- 
ing great capabilities in the hands of skillful experimenters. From one or 
two species of apple, naturally small, astringent, and unfit for food, have 
come vast developments, till now the entire year is supplied with the most 
appetizing and healthful of fruits ; yet room still remains for further im- 
provement. Then what latitude may we lend our fancies in the contem- 
plation of this decemvirate of Vitis (life-giving) vines, which stretch forth 
their affectionate tendrils, as though they would bind up and beautify, with 
luscious purple, pink and white festoons, every home in our broad land ! It 
is a rising family; it is a loving genus; a few of its members have been the 
staying companions of man through all historic ages, and here, at our very 
doors, climbing the trees in our pastures, are added half a score more still 
brighter gems, with unnumbered varieties of each, to engage our acutest in- 
tellect, and exercise our most cunning skill, ready for infinite molding as 
we will.* 

*The first premium was awarded Mr. Munson's collection of " Native Grapes of 
the United States" in the World's Exposition, at New Orleans, a compliment most 
worthily bestowed. — Secretary. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




000 918 524 



